Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Península de Azuero
POP 199,500 / ELEV SEA LEVEL TO 3478M / AREA 6147 SQ KM
Why Go?
Esteemed as the country's heart and soul, Península de Azuero is a farming and ranching
hub in addition to the strongest bastion of Spanish culture left in Panama. These days the
buzz is 'Tuscany of the Tropics,' with rolling hills alongside a long and lovely coastline.
Surf is up.
Here, the passage of time is a countdown to the next festival, be it Corpus Christi, La
Mejorana or Carnaval. Costumes range from swirling devils to curtsying
reinas
, teenage
queens turned dolls in the lace finery of
polleras
(national dress of Panamanian women).
It's a party to beat the band. Joining the throngs on sticky rum-soaked streets for these cel-
ebrations is a first-rate introduction to the real Panama.
Over time, the peninsula has seen stark transformations - from verdant rainforest to
cattle country, indigenous land to Spanish stronghold and, finally, from sleepy backwater
to surf central and Panama's next travel hot spot.
When to Go
»
Jul-Sep
Traditional Azuero is ground zero for Panama's best festivals and these
months feature some major celebrations all over the peninsula, featuring oxcart parades,
seco
(alcoholic drinkmade from sugarcane) and live bands.
»
Late Aug-Nov
Thousands of endangered olive ridley sea turtles come ashore to nest
on the broad beach of Isla de Cañas; visitors come to watch the nighttime hatchings with
guides.
»
Dec-Mar
Dry season is the best time to surf Pacific swells, and options from wilder-
ness beaches to surf villages abound. Also hit Carnaval in Las Tablas - the country's best
- in February or March.
Best Artisan Workshops
»
Ocú (
Click here
)
»
La Enea (
Click here
)
